In the biblical context, "lawbreakers" refers to individuals who transgress the laws and commandments set forth by God. The concept of lawbreaking is deeply rooted in the narrative of Scripture, beginning with the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). This initial act of rebellion against God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil set the stage for humanity's ongoing struggle with sin and disobedience.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and teachings regarding lawbreakers. The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, was a comprehensive set of commandments intended to guide the people in righteousness and holiness. The Law included moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations, and breaking these laws was considered a serious offense. In Deuteronomy 28, blessings are promised for obedience, while curses are pronounced for disobedience: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 28:15).

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of lawbreaking, calling the people of Israel and Judah to repentance. Isaiah, for example, lamented the nation's rebellion: "Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him" (Isaiah 1:4).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of lawbreaking is expanded to include not only the transgression of the Mosaic Law but also the rejection of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself emphasized the spirit of the Law, teaching that true righteousness exceeds mere legalistic adherence. In the Sermon on the Mount, He declared, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20).

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the nature of lawbreaking in his epistles. In Romans, he explains that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that the Law serves to reveal sin: "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin" (Romans 3:20). Paul also contrasts the works of the flesh, which include lawbreaking behaviors, with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23).

Consequences and Redemption

The Bible consistently teaches that lawbreaking leads to spiritual death and separation from God. However, it also offers the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ. The New Testament proclaims that Jesus fulfilled the Law and offers forgiveness and reconciliation to those who believe in Him. In Romans 8:1-2, Paul writes, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death" .

The call to repentance and faith in Christ is central to overcoming the status of a lawbreaker. Through the grace of God, believers are empowered to live in accordance with His will, transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). The ultimate hope for lawbreakers lies in the redemptive work of Christ, who offers a new covenant and a path to eternal life.

The Living Word
... With conditions so perverted that the lawbreakers were imprisoning the victims of
their own lawlessness, something ought evidently to be done about it. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter thirteen the living word.htm

The Two Causes of Sin
... In this latter case, we are not only sinners"which we are even when we sin through
ignorance"but also lawbreakers: for we do not do what we should, and we ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxii the two causes.htm

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... Lawbreakers have a direct interest in getting rid of lawbooks, just as shopkeepers
who use short yardsticks and light weights are not anxious the standards ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

Chapter eight
... place, we believe his action ought to receive the approval of all thoughtful, honest
citizens who believe in seeing law obeyed and lawbreakers brought to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eight.htm

The Impending Conflict
... While Satan seeks to destroy those who honor God's law, he will cause them to be
accused as lawbreakers, as men who are dishonoring God and bringing judgments ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 36 the impending conflict.htm

The Impending Conflict.
... While Satan seeks to destroy those who honor God's law, he will cause them to be
accused as lawbreakers, as men who are dishonoring God, and bringing judgments ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /36 the impending conflict.htm

The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of ...
... Their gods, therefore, are lawbreakers, and all liable to the punishment
of death; and they are impious men who introduce such gods. ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides as.htm

Lawbreakers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lawbreakers (2 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 1:9 having
known this, that for a righteous man law is not set, but ...
/l/lawbreakers.htm - 6k

Lawful (38 Occurrences)

/l/lawful.htm - 20k

Law-breaker (3 Occurrences)
Law-breaker. Lawbreaker, Law-breaker. Lawbreakers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB). Lawbreaker, Law-breaker. Lawbreakers . Reference Bible.
/l/law-breaker.htm - 7k

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